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1 SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY Ratified Governance & Risk Committee 08/2015 Status Final Issued August 2015 Approved By Governance and Risk Committee Consultation Governance and Risk Committee Equality Impact Assessment Completed Distribution All Staff Date Amended following initial ratification June 2015 Implementation Date August 2015 Planned Review Date August 2017 Version 1 Author Senior Governance Officer, NHS North of England Commissioning Support Unit Reference No CO22 Policy Validity Statement This policy is due for review on the date shown above. The policy will remain valid, but must be reviewed within each 3 year period. Policy users should ensure that they are consulting the currently valid version of the documentation. Social Media (V1: Draft 1) Page 1 of 11

2 1. Version Control Version Release Date Author Update comments V1 August 2015 Senior Governance Manager, Commissioning Support Unit (CSU) Annual review. 2. Approval Role Name Date Governance and Risk Committee Simon Gregory 12 August Review This document will be reviewed twelve months from its issue date and annually after its first review. The policy will remain valid, including during its period of review. However, the policy must be reviewed at least once in every 3 year period. Social Media (V1: Draft 1) Page 2 of 11

4 5. Introduction 5.1. The world of communication is changing. Social media is changing the way we, and every organisation in the world conducts its business. Millions of people use social media responsibly every day and it is becoming an increasingly important communications tool For the purposes of this policy, NHS South Tees Clinical Commissioning Group will be referred to as the CCG The CCG aspires to the highest standards of corporate behaviour and clinical competence, to ensure that safe, fair and equitable procedures are applied to all organisational transactions, including relationships with patients their carers, public, staff, stakeholders and the use of public resources. In order to provide clear and consistent guidance, the CCG will develop documents to fulfil all statutory, organisational and best practice requirements and support the principles of equal opportunity for all The CCG uses social media to provide opportunities for genuine, open, honest and transparent engagement with stakeholders, giving them a chance to participate and influence decision making. These tools are used to build online communities and networks which facilitate peer to peer interactivity Staff should use their own discretion and common sense when engaging in online communication. They should know and follow the CCG Standards of Business Conduct & Declarations of Interest Policy. The same principles and guidelines that apply to staff activities in general also apply to online activities. This includes forms of online publishing and discussion, including blogs, wikis, file-sharing, usergenerated video and audio, virtual worlds and social networks The following sections provide some general rules and best practices which you should abide by at all times Status This policy is a corporate policy Purpose and aims The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to CCG staff on social media/networking on the internet and the external use of other online tools such as blogs, discussion forums and interactive news sites. It seeks to give direction to staff in the use of these tools and help them to understand the ways they can use social media to help achieve business goals. This is a rapidly changing area and this policy is expected to be updated and amended as communication strategies evolve The purpose of this policy is to help protect the organisation, but also to protect staff interests and to advise staff of the potential consequences of their behaviour and any content that they might post online, whether acting independently or in their capacity as a representative of the CCG. Social Media (V1: Draft 1) Page 4 of 11

5 The aims of this document are to: 5.9. Scope Provide clarity to staff on the use of social media tools when acting independently or as a representative of the CCG and give them the confidence to engage effectively; Ensure that the organisation s reputation is not brought into disrepute and that it is not exposed to legal risk; and Ensure that internet users are able to distinguish official corporate CCG information from the personal opinion of staff This policy applies to those members of staff that are directly employed by the CCG and for whom the CCG has legal responsibility. For those staff covered by a letter of authority/honorary contract or work experience the organisation s policies are also applicable whilst undertaking duties on behalf of the CCG. 6. Definitions 6.1 Social, social media or social networking are the terms commonly used to describe web sites and online tools which allow users to interact with each other in some way by sharing information, opinions, knowledge and interests. 6.2 The following terms are used in this document (note the below list is not exhaustive): Micro blogging for example, Twitter Blogging for example, WordPress, Tumblr, and Blogger Video sharing for example, Flickr, Instagram, and YouTube Social bookmarking for example, Reddit and StumbleUpon Social sharing for example, Facebook Professional sharing for example, LinkedIn 7. Policy for social media use 7.1 Responsibilities It is the responsibility of everyone within the organisation to use social media responsibly Whenever employees engage with social media and post information about their work or employer it is highly likely that the information will be circulated to a wide audience Although members of staff are not acting on behalf of the organisation in a formal capacity when engaging with social media in their personal lives they must be mindful that, depending on the content, their online posts could potentially be damaging to the CCG, for example if they are inaccurate or flippant. Staff must also be aware of the potential legal implications of material which could be considered abusive or defamatory. Social Media (V1: Draft 1) Page 5 of 11

6 7.2 Social media in your personal life The CCG recognises that many employees make use of social media in a personal capacity. While they are not acting on behalf of the organisation, employees must be aware they can damage the organisation if they are recognised as being a CCG employee Although it is acceptable for staff to say they work for the NHS or CCG in posts and during online conversations, they should ensure they are clear that they are not acting on behalf of the organisation and post a disclaimer such as the views posted are my own personal views and do not represent the views of the CCG or Tweets are my own views All employees should be aware that the CCG reserves the right to use legitimate means to scan the web, including social network sites for content that it finds inappropriate Any communication that employees make in a personal capacity through social media must not: Bring the CCG into disrepute by criticising or arguing with customers, colleagues or rivals; making defamatory comments about individuals including judgments of their performance and character, or posting links to inappropriate content Breach confidentiality, for example by revealing information owned by the organisation; giving away confidential information about an individual (such as a colleague or customer contact) Include contact details or photographs of colleagues without their permission Discuss the CCG s internal workings or its future business plans that have not been communicated to the public Breach copyright, for example by using someone else s images or written content without permission or failing to give acknowledgment where permission has been given to reproduce something. If photos/videos are of the general public in public places then you can use them without obtaining permission Do anything that could be considered discriminatory, bullying or harassment of any individual, for example by making offensive or derogatory comments relating to protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 Use social media to bully another individual or posting images that are discriminatory or offensive (or links to such content) Post information that breaches any of the conditions in CCG policies Incidents of discrimination, bullying or harassment which take place via social media will be managed in line with CCG policy. Social Media (V1: Draft 1) Page 6 of 11

7 7.3 Line manager guidance Under this policy managers should be clear on the social media participation for any project and that individual staff members should be identified for managing the agreed social media for the project once appropriate approvals have been received. Managers requiring guidance should contact the appropriate lead for social media in the CCG. 7.4 Guidance for staff given access to social media Where access has been given to use social media sites, staff must not upload/post the following: 7.5 Photos and videos Personal identifiable information of patients and/or their relatives Personal identifiable information of another CCG employee in relation to their employment including judgements of their performance and character Photographs of another CCG employee taken in the work situation without permission Defamatory statements about the CCG, its staff, services or contractors Confidential information on bulletin boards, forums or newsgroups Whistleblowing posts, without already having raised concerns through the proper channels. All staff should be aware that the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 gives legal protection to employees who wish to whistleblow any concerns. HR35 Whistleblowing Policy incorporates the requirements of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA) and the Bribery Act Video is an excellent medium for providing stimulating and engaging content, which can potentially be seen by many people as it is easily shared on social media sites and embedded on other people s websites Images of individuals in photos/videos are treated as personal information where the person s identity is clear and can reasonably be worked out. In this instance, consent is required to use the images and you must take reasonable steps to tell the individual who you are, what you are taking their picture for and how they can access it. If photos/videos are of the general public in public places then you can use them without obtaining permission You must ensure that all video and media (including presentations) are appropriate to share/publish and do not contain any confidential, commercially sensitive or defamatory information If the material is official and corporate CCG content then it must be branded appropriately, and be labelled and tagged accordingly. It must not be credited to an individual or production company. Further guidance is available from the Information Labelling & Classification Procedure. Social Media (V1: Draft 1) Page 7 of 11

8 8. Duties and responsibilities Governance and Risk Committee Chief Officer Chief Finance Officer All line managers All Staff The CCG has delegated responsibility to the Governance and Risk Committee for approving CCG policies. The Chief Officer as accountable officer has overall responsibility for the strategic direction and operational management, including ensuring that CCG process documents comply with all legal, statutory and good practice guidance requirements. The Chief Finance Officer (as CCG Governance Lead) will ensure that use of and the internet will: comply with corporate branding be used in a manner to enhance the CCGs ability to engage with stakeholders comply with statutory and regulatory rules as well as national guidance and best practice They are also responsible for: generating and formulating this policy identifying the appropriate process for regular evaluation of the implementation and effectiveness of this policy identifying the competencies required to implement this policy, and either identifying a training resource or approaching Workforce Learning and Development (Governance Directorate NECS) for assistance All line managers are responsible for ensuring that appropriate processes are complied with when using and the internet. All staff, including temporary and agency staff, are responsible for: Compliance with relevant process documents. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action being taken. Co-operating with the development and implementation of policies and procedures and as part of their normal duties and responsibilities. Identifying the need for a change in policy or procedure as a result of becoming aware of changes in practice, changes to statutory requirements, revised professional or clinical standards and local/national directives, and advising their line manager accordingly. Identifying training needs in respect of policies and procedures and bringing them to the attention of their line manager. Attending training / awareness sessions when provided. 9. Implementation 9.1 This policy will be available to all staff for use in relation to the use of social media. 9.2 All managers are responsible for ensuring that relevant staff within the CCG have read and understood this document and are competent to carry out their duties in accordance with the procedures described. 10. Training implications 10.1 It has been determined that there are no specific training requirements associated with this policy/procedure. Social Media (V1: Draft 1) Page 8 of 11

10 12. Monitoring, review and archiving 12.1 Monitoring The Accountable Officer will oversee, on behalf of the Governing Body, a method for monitoring the dissemination and implementation of this policy Monitoring information will be recorded in the policy database Review The Governing Body will ensure that this policy document is reviewed in accordance with the timescale specified at the time of approval. No policy or procedure will remain operational for a period exceeding three years without a review taking place Staff who become aware of any change which may affect a policy should advise their line manager as soon as possible. The governing body will then consider the need to review the policy or procedure outside of the agreed timescale for revision For ease of reference for reviewers or approval bodies, changes should be noted in the document history table on the front page of this document. NB: If the review consists of a change to an appendix or procedure document, approval may be given by the sponsor director and a revised document may be issued. Review to the main body of the policy must always follow the original approval process Archiving The governing body will ensure that archived copies of superseded policy documents are retained in accordance with Records Management: NHS Code of Practice Social Media (V1: Draft 1) Page 10 of 11

11 13. Equality Analysis Equality Analysis Screening Template (Abridged) Title of Policy: CCG CO23 Social Media Policy Short description of Policy (e.g. aims and objectives): Directorate Lead: Is this a new or existing policy? This policy provides guidance to CCG staff on social media/networking on the internet and the use of other online tools such as blogs, discussion forums and interactive news sites. It seeks to give direction to staff in the use of these tools and help them to understand the ways they can use social media to help achieve business goals. The purpose of this policy is to help protect the organisation, but also to protect staff interests and to advise staff of the potential consequences of their behaviour and any content that they might post online, whether acting independently or in their capacity as a representative of the CCG. Chief Finance Officer. New Equality Group Age Disability Gender Reassignment Marriage And Civil Partnership Pregnancy And Maternity Race Religion Or Belief Sex Sexual Orientation Carers Does this policy have a positive, neutral or negative impact on any of the equality groups? Please state which for each group. Screening Completed By Liane Cotterill Job Title and Directorate Senior Governance Manager Organisation Commissioning Support Unit Date completed 01/06/2015 Directors Name Directors Signature Organisation Date Simon Gregory South Tees CCG Social Media (V1: Draft 1) Page 11 of 11

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